Air filter for the interior of a motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

A filter, especially for the interior ventilation of vehicles, including at least one filter body configured as a plate-like element and a frame surrounding the plate-like element, the frame being made from at least two frame parts joined together in the plane of the plate-like element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a filter with at least one filter bodyconfigured as a plate-like element and a frame surrounding theplate-like element, especially a filter suitable for filtering the airfor the interior of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

A filter of this general type is disclosed in published German PatentApplication No. DE 3,902,546. It is used in an air conditioner of amotor vehicle and consists of at least two layers of plate-like elementsof soft material and at least two circumferential frames which hold themargin of the filter body between them, and which themselves are heldtogether by clamping means.

One disadvantage of this filter is that, depending of the number ofplate-like elements, the frames must be fitted to the thickness of thefilter pack. Thus, the structure of a filter element is established, andcannot be altered. It has been found, however, that each applicationrequires a made-to-order filter, i.e., the composition of the filterpack is variable. Also, in the case of such elements forair-conditioning equipment or for the ventilation of the interior ofvehicles, attention must be given to good economy in the manufacture ofthe filter insert, especially in consideration of environmental aspects,since such a filter insert must be regularly replaced and disposed of.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a filter whichwill be usable in a variety of applications.

Another object of the invention is to provide a filter which can bemanufactured at low cost.

A further object of the invention is to provide a filter which can beinstalled in a simple manner.

These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the presentinvention by providing a filter for the interior ventilation of avehicle, said filter comprising at least one filter body configured as aplanar, plate-like element and a frame surrounding the plate-likeelement, said frame comprising at least two frame parts joined togetherin the plane of the plate-like element.

An advantage of the invention is that only a single type of frame partis necessary, and therefore only a single mold is needed if this framepart is manufactured by injection molding from plastic. The frame partis configured such that two identical frame parts are joined togetherand the plate-like element can be clamped between them in the plane oftheir junction.

In accordance with one advantageous embodiment, this frame part isprovided with a snap fastener. This makes it possible to assemble theparts in an especially simple manner. Since the configuration of theframe parts is identical, a plurality of plate-like elements can bestacked one above the other, an additional frame part being added foreach additional plate-like filter element.

In another embodiment of the invention, each frame part is provided withone or more cross braces in order to improve the supporting action ofthe frame parts. The cross braces hold the plate-like element inposition and prevent accidental removal of the filter body.

In another embodiment of the invention, at least one frame part isprovided with a sealing element. This sealing element may be acircumferential foam gasket or a polyurethane resin (PUR) gasket. Thegasket serves to seal the frame in a housing or support.

In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment of the invention,the frame parts are provided with bead-like elements. These serve bothto fix the margin of the filter body in position and to seal the marginof the filter body. Thus, no additional sealing means is needed betweenframe and filter body.

These and other features of preferred embodiments of the invention, inaddition to being set forth in the claims, are also disclosed in thespecification and/or the drawings, and the individual features each maybe implemented in embodiments of the invention either individually or inthe form of subcombinations of two or more features and can be appliedto other fields of use and may constitute advantageous, separatelyprotectable constructions for which protection is also claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in further detail hereinafter withreference to illustrative preferred embodiments shown in theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a filter according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 a cross sectional view of the filter shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 a cross sectional view of a stacked filter arrangement accordingto the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The filter illustrated in the drawings comprises a filter body 10 whichis constructed in the form of a plate-like element. This filter body maycomprise, for example, an active carbon mat and serves to filter thefresh air for the interior of a motor vehicle. The filter body 10 isheld between two frame parts 11 and 12. The frame parts are identicaland have a circumferential snap fastening 13. The two frame parts aresnapped together in this manner. The frame parts are furthermoreprovided with cross braces 14, 15, 16, 17, and 14a, 15a, 16a, 17a tohold the filter body in the mounted position. Sealing of the filter bodyto the frame is achieved by circumferential bead-like elements 18 and19. At the same time these elements also serve to hold the filter body10 in place.

A circumferential gasket 20 serves to arrange the entire filtersealingly in a housing or mounting. Since the frame parts are identical,they also have snap fastenings on their outer edges. This makes itpossible to arrange a plurality of filter bodies stacked one above theother, and to fix them in place with an additional frame part.

FIG. 3 shows a stacked filter according to the invention. A stackedfilter is one which comprises a plurality of plate-like elements 10which are coupled together in a kind of series arrangement. Since theframe parts are identical in design, it is possible to couple togetherany number of elements. These elements may comprise filter bodies formedof different filter materials. For example, one element may contain anactive carbon filter, and another may contain a coarse filter orpreliminary separator.

The foregoing description and examples have been set forth merely toillustrate the invention and are not intended to be limiting. Sincemodifications of the described embodiments incorporating the spirit andsubstance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, theinvention should be construed broadly to include all variations fallingwithin the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A filter for the interior ventilation of avehicle, said filter comprising at least one filter body configured as aflat plate shaped element having a periphery defining a plane and aframe surrounding the periphery of the plate shaped element, said framecomprising at least two frame parts joined together in the plane of theplate shaped element, each frame part having a plurality of bead shapedelements on an interior surface of the frame part in engagement with aface of the plate shaped element for fixing the plate shaped element inposition and for sealing the plate shaped element with respect to theframe, wherein said at least two frame parts are identical and can befastened directly to each other in any desired number.
 2. A filteraccording to claim 1, wherein the frame parts are joined together by atleast one snap fastener which is located on a peripheral edge of saidframe parts.
 3. A filter according to claim 1, wherein each frame partis provided with a plurality of supporting cross braces for the plateshaped element, said cross braces extending between opposite sides ofthe frame part parallel to the plane of the plate shaped element.
 4. Afilter according to claim 1, further comprising a sealing element formedon at least one of the frame parts for sealing the frame in a housing.5. A filter according to claim 2, wherein said snap fasteners located onthe peripheral edges of said frame parts face perpendicularly to saidplane of the plate shaped element.
 6. A filter comprising:a plurality ofidentical frame parts, each said frame part having a periphery whichdefines a frame part plane, each said frame part defining an opening onan interior side of said periphery, each said frame part having firstand second snap fasteners located on peripheral edges of the frame part,said snap fasteners being configured such that the first snap fastenerof any of said frame parts is engageable with the second snap fastenerof any other of said frame parts, said plurality of frame parts beingfastened together in a series arrangement wherein one of said first andsecond snap fasteners of each of said frame parts is engaged with theother of said first and second snap fasteners of an adjacent of saidframe parts, and wherein said frame part planes of the plurality offrame parts are parallel; and at least one filter body having aperiphery defining a filter body plane, one said filter body beingarranged between each set of adjacent frame parts such that theperiphery of said filter body is surrounded by the periphery of theframe parts and such that the filter body plane is parallel to saidframe part plane.
 7. A filter according to claim 6, wherein said firstand second snap fasteners comprise peripheral edges of said frame partwhich face opposite each other and which face perpendicularly to saidframe part plane.
 8. A filter according to claim 6, wherein each saidframe part further comprises at least one supporting cross brace whichextends through said opening between opposite sides of said periphery ofthe frame part, said at least one supporting cross brace supporting saidat least one filter body.
 9. A filter according to claim 6, furthercomprising a sealing element formed on an exterior of the periphery ofat least one of the frame parts for sealing the frame in a housing. 10.A filter according to claim 6, wherein each frame part is provided witha plurality of bead shaped elements which extend from said periphery ofthe frame part into said opening, said filter body being engaged by thebead shaped elements of a respective said set of adjacent frame parts inorder to fix the filter body in position and for sealing the filter bodywith respect to the frame parts.